Publication: Empowering our Whistleblowers
In 2013 Right2Know brought together different civil society organisations who work on whistleblower issues to reflect on the state of whistleblowing in South Africa. Based on these reflections we commissioned the Open Democracy Advice Centre to produce Empowering our Whistleblowers, a report on the state of whistleblowing. The report shines a light on the silent crisis facing whistleblowers today, who face hostility in the public and private sectors, risks to their safety and freedom, and gaps in the law that is meant to protect them.
The report aims to figure out practical and political interventions that will create an enabling environment for whistleblowers to come forward.
The report also suggests a 7-point Whistleblowing Test that can assess our whistleblowing environment moving forward:
- Public and private bodies adopt a Code of Good Practice to protect and promote whistleblowing
- Civil society set up a network to support whistleblowing
- Whistleblowers are given financial and physical security and other alternative mechanisms of support – including development of financial incentives for whistleblowers.
- The existing forums for whistleblowers are secure and effective.
- All new laws passed support and encourage whistleblowers. Laws are consistent, clear and cohesive.
- Whistleblowers are legally protected when they speak out in the public interest.
- The Protected Disclosures Act is amended to fix its gaps.
Download the publication here .
The consultative process and publication were funded by FES Media Africa and the research was undertaken by ODAC.
